UNH Library Processing Archivist, Librarian

Job Description

Summary:

The Processing Archivist is responsible for arranging, describing, and preserving archival collections to ensure long-term accessibility for researchers, students, and the broader scholarly community of New Hampshire and beyond. This role assesses incoming materials, establishes intellectual and physical control, and creates clear, comprehensive finding aids in accordance with professional archival standards and best practices. This role provides faculty support for reference, instruction, acquisition, and appraisal activities as needed.

• Collection Processing Survey, appraise, and prioritize incoming and backlog archival collections with guidance from the Special Collections Librarian and University Archivist.
• Arrange archival materials following professional archival principles (respect des fonds, original order, provenance).
• Rehouse materials into appropriate archival storage to ensure long-term preservation.
• Identify preservation concerns and collaborate with preservation staff as needed.

• Create detailed finding aids, catalog records, and inventories using standards such as DACS, EAD, MARC, or local metadata schemas.
• Apply controlled vocabularies and authority records (e.g., LCSH, LCAH, AAT, SNAC).

• Track and manage the progress of processing projects.
• Recommend processing levels (minimal, baseline, full) based on collection significance, condition, and researcher needs in coordination with the University Archivist and Special Collections Librarian.
• Contribute to collection management workflows and documentation.
• Provide support for acquisition and appraisal activities as requested or assigned.

• Work closely with staff to support the Archives Processing and Access Program.
• Participate in cross-departmental projects.
• As needed, provide frontline reference and Reading Room support and back-up for the Public Services Coordinator.
• Provide instruction support, such as proctoring Reading Room, as needed.
• As required and if opportunity arises, present and share with library faculty and staff about processing projects.
• Engage in library, university, and professional service in alignment with position responsibilities that are relevant to their appointment.
• Contribute to library and university shared governance.

• Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA accredited program with a concentration in archives.
• 1 year of processing experience working on large collections, demonstrating familiarity with processing archival or manuscript collections (such as an internship, employment, volunteer work, etc.)
• Familiarity with archival standards (DACS, EAD, MARC) and archival management systems.
• Knowledge of preservation principles for paper and photographic materials.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

• Experience using archival management platforms such as Archives Space.
• Familiarity with processing congressional and/or political papers.
• Familiarity with MPLP processing practices.
• Knowledge of inclusive description practices.
• Project management skills and experience establishing workflows.
• Knowledge of copyright, privacy, and rights-management issues in archives.

Compensation Pay Range: $75,000 to $86,000. The rank of the selected candidate will depend upon the candidate’s qualifications. Actual offer will be based on skills, qualifications, experience, and internal equity, in addition to relevant business considerations.

Location:

Durham

Salary Grade:
Librarians 01

More information on benefits can be found here: USNH Employee Benefits | Human Resources

The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.

The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access employer.

The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and…